The Heron's Nest: The Dreaded Saturday Eagles Pick

When the Eagles went down 19-3 to the Giants in the first half last week, you thought the season was over, didn't you? Game, set and match. The Birds certainly looked like a team that was cooked.

But give Doug Pederson's guys credit. They rallied in the second half - aided in large part by some dubious decisions by the Giants coaching staff - and saved the season.

More to the point, they lived to survive another week.

But things just got a little steeper in their climb to get back to the playoffs when the Saints did an El Foldo Thursday night, failing to show up in a disappointing loss to the Cowboys.

That makes this a must win for the Eagles. Actually, at this point, every game is a must game.

The Eagles must beat Washington Monday night at the Linc to stay in striking distance of the now first-place Cowboys.

For this one, the Eagles need to rely on their defense. The Redskins already are playing backup Colt McCoy at QB after starter Alex Smith was lost for the season with a broken leg. And he's playing behind a banged-up offensive line.

The Birds' D should feast on this situation and hound McCoy into a miserable night.

On offense, Carson Wentz has shown a propensity for liking the limelight in prime time games. He'll get another shot in the spotlight Monday night. The Eagles just might have discovered a featured back in Notre Dame product Josh Adams. Doug Pederson needs to ride him. Every time he gets the ball he makes a play.

That opens up the passing game for Wentz to play pitch-and-catch with tight end Zach Ertz, who is having an All-Pro season.

The Eagles should race out to an early lead in this one, and then hound McCoy into a miserable night.

THE PICK: Make it Eagles 27, Redskins 17. Every game is a playoff from now on. I'm betting Carson Wentz's appetite for prime time pays off with a big game, and the Eagles' defense shines.

LAST WEEK: Season saved. With a huge helping hand from the Giants, who inexplicably decided to ignore Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham in the second half. The come-from-behind win raised the Eagles to 5-6, and a win Monday night would even their record. It's a must to keep pace with the Cowboys before another showdown in Dallas next week. I was feeling pretty miserable in the first half, but was smiling at the end as the win boosted my mark on this season to 4-7.